Grand Prairie TX vs Tempe AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 186,419 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 13.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 24.6% | 7.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 23.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $77,643 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $468,328 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 41.6% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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